AmpliFi Instant: Ethernet backhaul with two switches in between possible?
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I wanted to ask if the following setup is possible:
ISP modem > AmpliFi router > 1st switch > 2nd switch > AmpliFi access point
Ground floor: The ISP modem is next to the AmpliFi router, but I need more ethernet ports, therefore I need a switch.
Basement: An ethernet cable goes from the the ground floor to the basement.
Since I have some several devices in the basement, I need to use another switch and connect the access point (has only one ethernet port) to the switch.Is it a problem that there are two switches between the AmpliFi router and the AmpliFi access point?
These are the two devices I have: https://store.amplifi.com/products/amplifi-instant-system
Thank you for your help!
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@gg83gg I think you have one too many switch hops. The modem counts as one, the router counts as one, each switch counts as one. That's four and if I recall, you are only allowed three. Clearly if the support team differs I will willingly stand corrected.
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@Matthew-Leeds Thank you Matthew! I hope someone from support gets back to this and I hope there is a way to make this work.
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@gg83gg OK, I did a quick search and I was wrong. The limit appears to be seven switches, and this is due to the spanning tree protocol. You should be good with the four you have. Do make sure you're using CAT5E or better cabling everywhere.
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@Matthew-Leeds Awesome, thank you!! It's a CAT7 cable, so this should be fine. How did you find out about this? I am just curious because I couldn't find it out myself.
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@gg83gg Did a search on 'ethernet switch hop limit'. As to using CAT7 I offer this to read: https://www.cablematters.com/blog/Networking/what-is-cat7-and-why-you-don-t-need-it
Networking always fascinates me. I worked with large networks for decades and watched the evolution of the tech and specs. Installed one of the first Ethernet switchs from Kalpana thirty years ago. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalpana_(company) I think we spent over $10,000US on it, but it was a huge upgrade from the 3COM coax hub we had been using to connect three floors in a building.
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@Matthew-Leeds That is very interesting! I am helping a friend in his new home and the electrician used a CAT7 cable. I hope it still works! Thank you again for your help!
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@gg83gg Your setup should work well, let us know if you see an issue with anything.
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@UI-AmpliFi Great, thank you!
I will let you know in case I run into any troubles.